DADU: A big fire gutted a cluster of many thatched huts leaving three children and over two dozen goats dead in Malkani Sharif village of this district on Sunday. Many other people, mostly women and children, suffered burn injuries in the incident.

The deceased children were identified as Mohammad Hanif, 6, Shahzaib, 7, and Fauzia, 8.

The injured victims were first shifted to Dadu’s District Headquarters Hospital but due to the absence of a burns ward there, they were referred to major hospitals in Karachi and Hyderabad. The condition of two of them, Saheb Malkani and Ms Zarmina, was stated to be critical.

Officials at the Jhallo police station believed that the fire started from a pile of dry fodder and swiftly engulfed the nearby huts.

Dadu SSP retired Captain Saddam Hussain Khaskheli has ordered an inquiry into the incident. He also asked the police officers concerned to look into some villagers’ complaint that the fire brigade and rescue agency’s personnel arrived too late at the site.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026